RE: Misuse of Rad Symbol -Reply

["Laning, Eric" <ejlaning@bechtel.com>]

Good morning RADSAFERS,

I'd like to start my day off a bit differently than yesterday!! 

I'd like to extend a public apology to Steve Rima for my extremely poor
manners yesterday. I fired off a spontaneously sarcastic reply to what what
I felt was a petty issue. My reply was unprofessional and inappropriate. I
fully deserved the bashing Mr Rima gave me "in private"; which is where my
reply should have stayed.

With regards to the issue at hand though, I still find the whole notion a
bit silly. I am in total agreement that misplaced or misused safety postings
"in the workplace" present many potential problems. I too have spent time in
commercial radiological settings where great emphasis was ...and I assume
still is..placed on proper posting techniques; and rightfully so. Actually I
consider myself a stickler for ensuring proper site /work area postings &
boundaries. My current staff of HP technicians can attest to that!
BUT..getting up tight over a magazine's use of a "trefoil" or some other
safety related symbol as a marketing technique is a bit extreme...in my
opinion. Where do we draw the line..or better yet..where CAN we draw the
line?  Can we petition television shows such as 20/20 when they plaster the
television screen with a trefoil prior to airing one of those "fact filled"
stories of chaos at the Savannah River Site; can we fine the Cincinnati
Enquirer when their front page reads "DANGER AND DECEIT AT FERNALD" overlaid
by a huge trefoil..in color; Can we ban reference books which may happen to
have a trefoil or biohazard symbol on their outer cover? Can we prohibit the
colors yellow and magenta from being worn in public!!! (Sorry, my sarcastic
nature gets the best of me at times!) I think we all know the answers to
these questions. 

We in this field clearly understand the proper usage and intent of safety
related symbols. That's what we do. However, attempting to extend the rules
of our little world into mainstream society is a dead end.  

MY OPINION ONLY

Eric Laning
ejlaning@bechtel.com


-----Original Message-----
From: JOHN L. MCCARTHY [mailto:MCCARJL@GWSMTP.NU.COM]
Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 1999 7:52 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: RE: Misuse of Rad Symbol -Reply


Forgive me Eric, but I agree with Steve.  

I am concerned over the potential notion that the symbol doesn't mean much
unless put into the proper context and environment.  One of the biggest
problems I have seen in commercial radiological programs is complacency
towards
radiological postings (including the trefoil symbol and standard
radiological
color scheme).   Granted, some of these events could be related to the
bombardment of the visual senses from over-posting.  However, ignoring that
factor and looking at other events, indicates we still have problems
especially
with personnel trained to recognize the difference and act accordingly.

Bottom line: I would prefer a cautious general public than one that regards
this, and other industrial or medical symbols as acceptable gimmicks.  As
far
as censorship goes, this issue comes too close to yelling "fire" in a
crowded
theater house thereby limiting freedom of speech. 

Respectfully,

Jack McCarthy, CHP
mccarjl@gwsmtp.nu.com
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